Utah asks Supreme Court to block same-sex unions

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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Attorney General's office is seeking an outside law firm for help in preparing an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court challenging a judge's decision to allow same-sex marriages in the state.

In papers filed Tuesday, the state asked Justice Sonia Sotomayor to overturn the decision that has led to more than 900 gay marriages in Utah. Sotomayor handles emergency requests from Utah and other Rocky Mountain states.

Sotomayor responded by setting a deadline of by noon Friday for legal briefs from same-sex couples. She can act by herself or get the rest of the court involved.

State officials have said the appeal could cost $2 million. An attorney for same-sex couples calls that a waste of money.

Utah insists that states have the authority to define marriage as between a man and woman.